Hospital Innovations at Forefront of Nerve Transplant Advance

ASUPPLIER of human tissue for surgery has become the first UK provider of human nerves for transplant - a breakthrough which has revolutionised the way in which peripheral nerve injuries are treated.

Cardiff-based Hospital Innovations is working closely with AxoGen, the American company responsible for the technological advances which have made nerve grafting with processed allograft a viable medical option, and is the company's only UK distributor.

Used to restore motor and sensory functions to peripheral nerves, the surgery is currently being introduced in the UK at a number of London hospitals.

However, in America it has been used for more than six years in operations such as those to repair injured nerves in damaged arms or legs, in order to restore movement and/or sensation to hands and feet.

Phil Davies, managing director of Hospital Innovations, said: "This development is hugely exciting for us and the surgeons we work with.

"It is extremely difficult to retrieve, process and sterilise nerves which is why this breakthrough hasn't happened sooner. This is a major surgical advancement and who knows where it might lead.

"For now it is limited to peripheral nerves but a few years ago, a nerve allograft like this was unthinkable." To date, UK surgeons have carried out several nerve allografts implantations and are currently closely monitoring the recovery of those patients. …

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